DANISH OFFSHORE INDUSTRY 2007

Offshore centre in its growth

Backed-up by the government and 150 member companies Offshore Center Denmark in Esbjerg is ready to grow more international in order to increase its export of skill and know-how.

Offshore Center Denmark (OCD) in Esbjerg soon after its foundation in the spring of 2003 entered the growth age, now having exceeded 150 members. In an evaluation of regional growth environments in the country published by the Ministry of Science it turned out to be a favourite student doing what it promised and delivering the results to be expected.

Since May 1st 2006 OCD has been given the status as a regional centre of technology, and this to its Director, Peter Blach, is a further step towards consolidating the role of the centre within accumulation of knowledge and skills in the offshore industry.

“The thoughts and ideas of our members have been approved, and so has the way in which we have implemented them. Our members possess a surprisingly broad range of knowledge, and as a knowledge centre within offshore we see, that it is being used abroad,” states Peter Blach.

Since May 1st 2006 OCD has been given
the status as a regional centre of technology,
and this to its Director, Peter Blach, is a
further step towards consolidating the role
of the centre within accumulation of knowledge
and skills in the offshore industry.
Photo: Niels Husted

As an example of the special Danish competences he mentions the development and construction of satellite platforms for marginal fields being one of the areas where the operators Maersk Oil and DONG Energy as well as their suppliers are most experienced. Another area is preventive maintenance where the requirement for future maintenance of platforms is analyzed using automation and IT solutions accumulating data for use before damage and consequently expensive down-time. According to Peter Blach at least ten Danish companies are able to provide expertise within this area.

Offshore wind farms as a speciality
Of the 11 development projects hand-led by the Offshore Center several are concerned with offshore wind turbines. Setting up the largest wind farm in the world, Horn’s Reef off the west coast of Jutland, and other national and international projects has provided valuable knowledge as to erecting and operation of wind turbines under complicated conditions at sea. That goes for subjects like foundation, transport of personnel and equipment, corrosion and protection as well as safety and training in safety.

“Offshore wind turbines are more or less a speciality of West Jutland. Here the expertise comprises all from the top of the waves and further down. The foundation onshore only accounts for 5% of the investment, but as it may account for 40-50% offshore this area is a most interesting challenge.”

Danish sub-contractors have pro-moted themselves strongly in a number of British projects and more are underway in several countries.

Research and industry working hand in hand
Four new two-years projects have been added since OCD became a regional centre of technology. The Ministry of Science wants the 13 centres of technology to strengthen cooperation between research and the regional industry in areas where the regions possess special strength and potential for development, so the government and the industry share the financing of the projects.

One of them is a project aiming at highlighting the barrier for small and medium sized companies preventing them from getting a larger share of the contracts within the offshore industry. In addition to the knowledge institutions ten minor companies participate of which two have experience within this field.

Another project is focusing on lighter and more corrosion-proof materials for platforms. The idea is to detect opportunities for plastic-composites and other materials to see if they may gain access offshore, and analyse which materials are most suitable in the tough environment at sea.

In addition to that prototypes are developed for use offshore.

“In our four new projects we have done our best to involve institutions like Syddansk Universitet, Aalborg Universitet Esbjerg, AluCluster, Plast Center Danmark and RobuCluster.”

A number of the projects are aiming at developing export-orientated skills in areas where Denmark has gained a strong position. OCD is a national centre, but as the export of Danish know-how increases the centre will face the rest of the world.

“We will not be engaged in proper export drives, as we have an excellent cooperation with Dansk Industri and private marketing companies in this field, but we would like to attend exhibitions and other arrangements in order to tell about the knowledge-based strength integrated in the offshore industry.”

Courses at high level
Another important area is developing and maintaining courses for oil and gas personnel. Basic two-days courses in oil and gas as well as offshore wind power have long been provided for new employees in the industry, but courses at a higher level are needed, too.

In the autumn of 2006 the Offshore Center has arranged several courses for engineers and technicians in subjects like process technology, ATEX-directives and pressure systems. Each of the courses has had some 30-50 attendants, and in some cases they have been overbooked. Consequently, they will be arranged more frequently in order for Danish companies not to have to send their staff to Aberdeen to provide them with additional training.

“Offshore wind turbines are more or less
a speciality of West Jutland. Here the
expertise comprises all from the top of
the waves and further down”.
Photo: Vestas

“We have had a major gap in additional training, but we are endeavouring to fill it. This industry is characterized by frequent change of jobs, nationally and internationally, so there is a constant demand for up-grading employees at almost all levels.”

photo: niels husted

Facts about Offshore Center Danmark:
Established in May 2003. The first 3 years status as regional growth environment. Since May 1st 2006 regional technology centre with a two-years grant of 3.5 million DKK from the Ministry of Science. 1 1/2 million DKK of its yearly need for 4-5 million DKK are provided by its 150 member companies, while the local municipalities and Region Syddanmark is expected to contribute 1 million DKK.

The centre has a staff of six persons and two-three specialist consultants.